Levi Leipheimer, Bay Area’s Shocking Tour of Switzerland Victory

Radioshack's team rider Levi Leipheimer of the U.S. (L) holds the winner trophy on the podium of the Tour de Suisse cycling race in Schaffhausen June 19, 2011. Photo: Reuters

Levi Leipheimer, a Bay Area resident from Santa Rosa, pulled out a shocking victory in the Tour of Switzerland on the final stage. Leipheimer placed third in the final time trial, but that was enough to pass Damiano Cunego, who had a nearly two minute lead overall in the race before the stage began.

Leipheimer, born in Butte, Montana, finished only 4 seconds in front of the former Giro d'Italia winner Cunego in the overall standings.

The RadioShack leader is known for being strong in time trials, so Cunego, who is stronger in the mountains, knew he had to have a strong ride.

Unfortunately for the Lampre rider, he just didn't have enough strength at the end of the race to power through the course around Schaffhausen and finished 2 minutes and 16 seconds behind stage winner Fabian Cancellera, a time trial specialist.

It was the second smallest margin of victory ever in race history, since in 2004 when Jan Ullrich beat Fabian Jeker by just one second.

Cunego had looked strong throughout the race with a superb solo climb in Stage 3 that secured his lead, making Leipheimer's victory even more shocking.

Leipheimer has been having a great year, finishing second overall in the Tour of California to his teammate Chris Horner, who together pulled off a 1-2 victory for Team RadioShack.

Leipheimer and Horner are getting ready for cycling's biggest race, the Tour de France, set to begin on July 2.

The Americans will face often against the likes of defending champion Alberto Contador who recently stated he will race despite an ongoing case in his positive test for banned substance clenbuterol.

Another Tour de France contender will be last year's runner up Andy Schleck, who recently neglected to mention Leipheimer, Horner, and American riders as contenders in the race. Schleck finished 7th in the Tour of Switzerland, 2 minutes 35 seconds behind Leipheimer.